Issue 18-168 Quarterly Population Highlights

September 27, 2018

B.C. Highlights

Estimates in this release are based on 2016 Census counts adjusted for census net undercoverage and incompletely enumerated Indian Reserves to which is added the estimated demographic growth from May 10, 2016, to June 30, 2018. The new censal population estimate adjusted B.C.’s population upwards by approximately 101,600 persons or 2.1% as of July 1, 2016. Statistics Canada population estimates for Canada, the provinces and territorieshave been revised back to 2001.

The population of B.C. was estimated at 4,991,687 as of July 1, 2018, growing by 24,312 persons in the second quarter of 2018 (up 0.49% from April 1, 2018).

Combined net in-migration from all sources (inter-provincial and international) totalled 22,325 persons during the second quarter of 2018, 10% higher than the same quarter in 2017. Most of the population growth in the second quarter was due to international immigration. Broken down, net interprovincial in-migration contributed 4,102 persons to population growth while net international in-migration added 18,223 persons. Rounding out the second quarter growth was a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 1,987 persons.

The Last Twelve Months

B.C.’s total population grew by 69,535 persons (+1.41%) over the twelve months ending June 30, 2018, mostly due to international migration. On an annual basis, births (+44,180) and interprovincial arrivals (+60,005) were the largest sources of population growth for the province. Net interprovincial migration accounted for a gain of 7,799 while net international migration contributed 55,457 persons from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

National Overview

The population of Canada grew by an estimated 168,687 persons (+0.46%) to 37,058,856 during the second quarter of 2018, a higher growth than in the same quarter of 2017. Leading the growth at the provincial and territorial level were Nunavut (+1.30%), Yukon (+0.97%), Prince Edward Island (+0.81%), Ontario (+0.54%) and British Columbia (+0.49%). All remaining jurisdictions with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador and Northwest Territories also observed population increases in the second quarter.

Second Quarter International Migration

Net international in-migration to British Columbia (immigrants plus the net change in non-permanent residents (NPRs) plus returning emigrants less emigrants and persons temporarily abroad) resulted in a gain of 18,223 in the second quarter. This compares to a net gain of 14,186 in the second quarter of 2017. The total number of immigrants arriving in British Columbia from April 1 to June 30 was 12,106. A net NPR gain of 8,189 further increased net international in-migration. This compares to a net gain of 6,073 NPRs observed in the same quarter of 2017. Regarding persons exiting B.C. for international destinations, an estimated 2,779 left on a permanent basis and 1,220 were away temporarily in the second quarter of 2018.

Second Quarter Interprovincial Migration

Among the provinces and territories British Columbia reported the largest net gain in population due to interprovincial migration in the second quarter of 2018, followed by Ontario and Nova Scotia. In B.C., an inflow of 22,240 persons was offset by an outflow of 18,138 for a net gain of 4,102. British Columbia’s net exchange with Alberta was positive, with an estimated 1,865 more persons leaving Alberta for B.C. than those departing for Alberta. B.C. also reported positive net in-migration from Saskatchewan (+970), Manitoba (+728), Quebec (+201), Ontario (+198), Northwest Territories (+129) and Newfoundland (+101), as well as small gains from Yukon, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. British Columbia’s exchange with the remaining jurisdictions was negative in the second quarter.

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